Door construction



March 17, 1959 R. w. SWERMAN DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 4, 1956 United States Patent-O DOOR CONSTRUCTION Robert W. Swerman, Galesburg, Ill., assignor to Midwest Manufacturing Corporation, Galesburg, Ill.

Application April 4, 1956, Serial No. 576,025

12 Claims. (Cl. 126190) This invention relates to the construction of panel members comprising pairs of spaced walls and is particularly useful in the construction of door elements for ranges,

cabinets or the like.

Heretofore it has been common practice to construct oven doors comprising inner and outer members where the members are each comprised of panels having peripheral flanges, the flanges on one panel being telescopically dis- I.

replace insulation or in some instances to replace certain a parts that have become chipped or cracked. It is therefore most desirable that this door be of the type that can be taken apart.

If the door is welded obviously the disassembly results in destruction. If screws are used they become rusty and difficult to remove. Welding also becomes impractical if the door parts are enameled separately.

In either of the above instances the assembly of the finished door entails a certain amount of labor and materials which increases the cost.

By my present invention I am able to make a door wherein no screws are needed and it need not be welded. The door can be assembled quickly and easily by unskilled labor and the material and labor costs are thus reduced.

Still further advantages of the invention and the inven- I tion'itself will become more apparent-from the following description of some embodiments thereof which description is illustrated by the accompanying drawings and forms a part of this specification.

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through an oven door in a partially assembled condition illustrating one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the holding clip used in Fig. '1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section through the upper portion of a door illustrating a door handle and a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the retainer clip used in Fig. 4; and i Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken'o'n the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, throughout which like parts are designated by like reference characters, a sectional view of a door in a partially assembled state is shown in Fig. 1. The door is comprised of two principle parts or pans, the outer or front door element includes a front panel 10 which is generally of rectangular formation and which is bounded on four sides by side flanges, 11 being the bottom flange, 12 the side flange and 14 the top flange. In this instance the panel 10 is provided with a slanting part 10a which is largely an element of design Patented Mar. 17, 1959 dictated by the aesthetic appearance desired for the door. The outermost edges of the side flanges 11, 12 and 14 are preferably terminated in a common plane.

:The rearward or inner door element likewise includes an inner panel 17 and bottom, side and top flanges 18, 19 and 20. The edges of these flanges likewise terminate in a common plane.

The inner door element is made slightly smaller than the outer door element so that it may be telescoped within the outer door, the flanges on the opposed elements being in overlapping relation to each other.

A preferred arrangement for holding the bottom flanges in fixed assembled position relative to each other includes slots 25 in the-inner element bottom flange 18 adapted to receive tongues 26 struck from the bottom-flange of the outer element. Preferably the slot 25 should provide a relatively close fit with thetongue 26 so that little or no relative movement between the parts isrealized after assembly. If desired the tongue 26 could be slightly curved in transverse cross-section to more effectively realize this result. Likewise the slot could be a curved slot and the tongue straight. Although the above construction is in the interest of economy it will be appreciated that clips of the type hereinafter described could be used for holding .the door parts in place and the tongues and slots would not be needed. Preferably two or more such tongues and slots would be provided on the bottom flange spaced apart and relatively close to the marginal edges.

"The upper extremities of the two door elements are held. together by a spring clip which is secured to one of the door elements and has lugs that engage with an inward projection of the other door element. The same clip that provides the interlocking of the elements may 'have integral therewith a spring portion which engages the other door part resisting the completetelescoping of the elements and holding the interlocking'parts under pressure so that they will not rattle and will present'a firm assembly.-

As shown in Fig. 1, theouter element upper flange has a portion 30 struck from the flange and .bent inwardly to provide an abutment 31 which faces toward the panel. Itwill be appreciated that, although only one fastening means is shown and illustrated, two or more may be used through the length of the top flanges depending largely upon the width of the door.

The top flange of the inner door element is likewise formed with-a portion 33 struck from the flange to provide an inwardly longitudinally extending bridge being spaced inwardly of the flange leaving a vertical gap 36 between the bridge and the flange.

Thespring retainer clip includes a flat rectangular body portion 40 of nearly the same width as the bridge and substantially the same length. This portion is arranged toseat upon the upper surface of the bridge. At one edge the body is provided with an integral tongue which is bent backward at 41 andextends under the body 40 in closely spaced relation thereto at 42. It extends beyond the other edge of the body and terminates in a hooked portion 43. This tongue extends around the bridge transversely'thereof and the hook 43 is snapped over the edge of the bridge to securely anchor the,clip to the bridge.

The opposite ends of the clip body are provided with up turned flanges 45, the upper edges of which are formed with saw-toothed notches the forward portion 46 being inclined and serving as a cam surface and the perpendicular surfaces 47 serving as abutments for engagement with the abutments 31.

Although it is contemplated that this portion described shall be sufficient to hold the two parts together, an

additional feature contemplates the use of a resilient tongue50 which extends toward the outer door panel part 51 and terminates in a curved end 52. When the door parts are assembled the tongue 5052 performs several functions. It presses against the front door panel and thus urges the rear panel away from the front which adds rigidity to the combination. In addition the pushing eflect tends to keep the abutment 31 in close engagement with the tooth surface 47 and holds them frictionally against each other to prevent accidental release and/or rattling and finally the tipping effect of the tongue on the body tends to raise the rear portion of the body from the bridge and increases the holding power of the lower attaching tongue 41, 42 and 43.

It will be understood that the abutment 30--31 of Fig. 1 need not be as large as that illustrated and that the edge 31 may be depressed only sufliciently to be in line with the inner edge of the flange and that the subsequent application of porcelain will tend to seal any hole or gap that is present without materially affecting its efliciency, since the sharp corner of the tooth 46-47 will dig into the porcelain at this point.

In Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive I have illustrated another embodiment that has several advantages. One of the advantages is that the same screws which hold the door handle in place may be used to hold the clip. This enables a cheaper and simpler clip to be made. Another is that no abutment need be formed on the outer door flanges which eliminates the expense of this operation and eliminates any depression or openings in this flange.

In this instance the inner door panel is provided with a pair of downwardly depressed portions 60 which define openings '62.

The spring clip includes the rectangular body 64 having a downwardly extending flange 65 adapted to be secured to the inner front door panel by a screw or bolt 66 which extends through the door panel and is threaded into the handle 67.

The body is provided with side flanges 69 having upwardly extending teeth comprising the perpendicular holding surface 70 and the forwardly disposed cam surface 71.

Once the retainer is secured in position the rear panel is swung inwardly. The edge of the panel engages the cam surface 71 on the clip and bends it downward.

The inward movement of the door is continued until the tooth snaps into the opening 62 at which time the perpendicular surface of. the tooth 70 engages with the forward edge 62 of the opening and holdsthe two parts together.

As in the other embodiment spring means is provided for the purpose described. In this instance it is expedient to provide two tongues extending outwardly at 74 and downwardly at 75. They terminated in curved surfaces 76 which, like the end 52 of the other embodiment, engages with and slide on the door panel and resiliently urge the two panels toward a non-telescoping relation.

It will be apparent that the spring means could be separate spring means should it be used and that it is within the purview of my invention to place such spring means at points remote from the fastening means.

In each embodiment, after having been assembled together the panels can be separated readily by inserting the point of a screw driver between the adjacent flanges of the panels at the spring clip and forcing said flanges apart until the spring clip disengages from the. neighboring flange.

Having thus described my invention in an embodiment thereof I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A door construction comprising two confronting panels having peripheral flanges, the flanges on one panel being telescopically disposed inside of the flanges on the other panel, a clip to hold said panels in interlocking engagement with each other comprising a portion .4, attached to one of said panels and having a catch which is in interlocking engagement with a deformed portion of the other panel, and spring means integral with said clip which is in pressure engagement with the other panel to spread the two panels apart and to hold said catch securely against said deformed portion.

2. A door structure comprising first and second confronting panels, the first panel carrying an abutment which is located away from the first panel toward the second panel and which faces toward the first panel, a resilient spring clip mounted on the second panel and extending toward the first panel, said spring clip having a locking surface which faces toward the second panel and engages the abutment carried by the first panel to lock the panels together, and said spring clip being engaged under compression between the panels to spread the panels apart and force its locking surface against the abutment carried by the first. panel.

3. A door structure comprising inner and outer panel members having peripheral side flanges, the flanges on one of said panel members telescopically interfitting with the flange on the other panel member, a spring clip lock supported by one of said panel members and one side flange of the other panel member being formed to provide an abutment which is in locking engagement with said spring clip lock to hold the panel members in assembled relation, said spring clip lock having an abutment which is in interlocking engagement with the abutment on said one side flange on said other panel member,

and said spring clip lock. having spring means thereon which engages said other panel member to resiliently urge the two panel members apart to hold said abutment on the spring clip lock securely in engagement with the abutment on said side flange of said other panel member.

4. The door construction of claim 1 wherein the attachment portion of the clip comprises a flat body, said one panel has a bridge struck inward from itsperipheral flange, said flat body of the clip overlies said bridge, and said clip has a resilient tongue connected to said flat body and bent backward and underlying said bridge.

5. The door construction of claim 4 wherein said resilient tongue terminates in a hooked end which engages an edge of said bridge.

6. The door construction of claim 5 wherein said clip has an additional spring tongue which extends from said flat body of the clip and bears against said other panel.

7. A door construction comprising inner and outer panels each having peripheral flanges, the peripheral flanges on one panel member being arranged for telescoping engagement with the fianges on the other panel member, lug means formed on one of said flanges on one panel member and an aperture formed on the adjacent flange of the other panel member for hinged interlocking engagement along a pair of corresponding first edges of said panel members, and means to releasably lock the panel members together at a corresponding pair of second edges of said panel members for holding said panel members in assembled position comprising a spring clip carried by one panel member and a portion on the flange at said second edge of the other panel member which is formed for interlocking engagement with the spring clip, said spring clip being formed with a resilient tongue for pressure engagement with the other panel member to spread the panel members apart and to hold said spring clip in tight engagement with said interlocking portion of the last-mentioned flange.

8. A door construction comprising inner and outer panels each having peripheral flanges, the peripheral flanges on one panel member being arranged for telescoping engagement with the flanges on the other panel member, lug means formed on one of said flanges on one panel member and an aperture formed on the adjacent flange of the other panel member for hinged interlocking engagement along a pair of corresponding first edges of said panel members, and means to releasably lock the panel members together at a corresponding pair of second edges of said panel members for holding said panel members in assembled position comprising a spring clip carried by one panel member and a portion on the flange at said second edge of the other panel member which is formed for interlocking engagement with the spring clip, said spring clip being provided with abutments for locking engagement with said interlocking portion of the last-mentioned flange, each of said abutments having a cam surface on one end and a sharp flange-engaging abutment on the other end.

9. A door construction comprising inner and outer panels each having peripheral flanges, the peripheral flanges on one panel member being arranged for telescoping engagement with the flanges on the other panel member, lug means formed on one of said flanges on one panel member and an aperture formed on the adjacent flange of the other panel member for hinged interlocking engagement along a pair of corresponding first edges of said panel members, and means to releasably lock the panel members together at a corresponding pair of second edges of said panel members for holding said panel memhers in assembled position comprising a spring clip carried by one panel member and a portion on the flange at said second edge of the other panel member which is formed for interlocking engagement with the spring clip, said one panel member at the flange on its second edge being provided with a bridge portion extending from the flange and struck from the flange, said clip having a body in clamping engagement with said bridge and having at least one lug extending outwardly of the lastmentioned flange and wherein the adjacent flange on the second edge of the other panel member is provided with an inward projection for engagement with said lug.

10. The door construction of claim 9, wherein there is provided spring means carried by the clip for spring pressed engagement with the other panel.

11. A door structure comprising a pair of confronting panels which have transverse flanges along their respective peripheral edges, said panels interfitting in telescoped relationship with one another, with the flanges on one panel extending from the inner face of said one panel toward the inner face of the other panel and with the flanges on said other panel extending closely around the flanges on said one panel, a resilient spring clip at one peripheral edge of one of the panels, said clip being mounted on said last-mentioned panel and projecting toward the adjacent flange on the remaining panel, and said adjacent flange on the remaining panel presenting a transverse abutment which is engaged by the spring clip to lock the panels together in telescoped relationship, said spring clip having a cam surface which inclined toward said adjacent flange on the remaining panel in a direction away from the inner face of said remaining panel to ride across said abutment when the panels are being assembled together in telescoped relationship, and said spring clip having a holding surface which extends from the outer end of said cam surface transversely away from said adjacent flange on the remaining panel, said holding surface of the spring clip seating against said transverse abutment on the adjacent flange on the remaining panel when the panels are telescoped together.

12. The door structure of claim 11, wherein said spring clip has a resilient flexible leg which bears against the inner face of the remaining panel and spreads the panels apart and maintains the holding surface on the spring clip seated against said abutment on the adjacentflange on said remaining panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,873,088 Wilde Aug. 23, 1932 1,981,383 Feldon Nov. 20, 1934 2,052,402 Groves Aug. 25, 1936 2,682,423 Ashworth June 29, 1954 2,761,716 Frederick Sept. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 492,515 Great Britain Sept. 21, 1938 685,639 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1953 

